BMC Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Starts Better Breathers Club

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center at Berkshire Medical Center is starting a Better Breathers Club, in collaboration with the American Lung Association.

Better Breathers Clubs are welcoming support groups for patients and caregivers affected by chronic lung diseases including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer. The club helps patients to learn better ways to better cope with lung disease while getting the support of others in similar situations. Led by a trained facilitator, these in-person adult support groups give you the tools you need to live the best life you can.

At BMC, the Better Breathers Club will hold its first meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 10, at 4 p.m. at the Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center, fourth floor of the BMC Medical Arts Complex, 777 North St., Pittsfield. The group will meet regularly after that and will feature educational presentations on a wide range of relevant topics, including: how lung disease affects the lungs; breathing techniques; exercise; talking with your physician; medications and other treatment options; medical tests; supplemental oxygen; home healthcare; lung transplants and air pollution.

For more information on the Better Breathers Club at BMC, call Carol Wilson at 413-447-3093.

 


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Pittsfield CPA Committee Funds Half of FY24 Requests

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A few projects are not getting funded by the Community Preservation Committee because of a tight budget.

The projects not making the cut were in the historic preservation and open space and recreation categories and though they were seen as interesting and valuable projects, the urgency was not prevalent enough for this cycle.

"It's a tough year," Chair Danielle Steinmann said.

The panel made its recommendations on Monday after several meetings of presentations from applications. They will advance to the City Council for final approval.  

Two cemetery projects were scored low by the committee and not funded: A $9,500 request from the city for fencing at the West Part Cemetery as outlined in a preservation plan created in 2021 and a $39,500 request from the St. Joseph Cemetery Commission for tombstone restorations.

"I feel personally that they could be pushed back a year," Elizabeth Herland said. "And I think they're both good projects but they don't have the urgency."

It was also decided that George B. Crane Memorial Center's $73,465 application for the creation of a recreational space would not be funded. Herland said the main reason she scored the project low was because it didn't appear to benefit the larger community as much as other projects do.

There was conversation about not funding The Christian Center's $34,100 request for heating system repairs but the committee ended up voting to give it $21,341 when monies were left over.

The total funding request was more than $1.6 million for FY24 and with a budget of $808,547, only about half could be funded. The panel allocated all of the available monies, breaking down into $107,206 for open space and recreation, $276,341 for historic preservation, and $425,000 for community housing.

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